Jack Henry Harris (November 28, 1918 – March 14, 2017) was an American film producer and distributor. He produced The Blob (1958), 4D Man (1959), and Equinox (1970).[1]
Jack H. Harris | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Jack Henry Harris November 28, 1918 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | March 14, 2017 (aged 98) Beverly Hills, California, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Film producer and distributor |
| Years active | 1950s–1990s |
| Children | 2, including Lynda Resnick |
| Family | Stewart Resnick (son-in-law) |
Biography
editHarris was born to a Jewish family[2] in Philadelphia, the son of Sara and Benny Ostravsky.[2] His mother was from Romania and his father from Poland;[2] the latter changed the family surname to Harris.[2]
Harris began his career in show business as a vaudeville performer in Gus Edwards' Kiddie Revue when he was six years old. He would later work in a theatre as an usher, in a publicity department, and in the distribution field, finally later taking up a career as a producer.[3] Harris is credited with coming up with the original motivation for his 1958 film, The Blob.[4] Harris also worked on the TV series It's About Time and The Twilight Zone.
Harris was among the 22 people selected to be honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2014, in the motion pictures category.[5] 95 at the time of his unveiling ceremony held on February 4, 2014, he was the oldest person to be honored with a star on the Walk of Fame.[6][7]
Personal life
editIn 1988, he married Judith "Judy" Parker; they lived in Beverly Hills.[2]
Death
editHarris died March 14, 2017, at his home in Beverly Hills, surrounded by his family, aged 98; he is survived by his two children, Lynda Resnick and Anthony Harris.[8]
Filmography
editHe was a producer in all films unless otherwise noted.
Film
edit| Year | Film | Credit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1958 | The Blob | ||
| 1959 | 4D Man | ||
| 1960 | Dinosaurus! | ||
| 1965 | Master of Horror | Executive producer | |
| 1966 | The Unkissed Bride | ||
| 1970 | Equinox | ||
| 1972 | Beware! The Blob | Executive producer | |
| 1973 | Schlock | ||
| 1974 | Dark Star | Executive producer | |
| 1978 | Eyes of Laura Mars | Executive producer | |
| 1986 | Prison Ship | ||
| 1988 | The Blob | ||
| 1991 | Blobermouth | Final film as a producer |
- Miscellaneous crew
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Without a Stitch | Presenter | |
| 1973 | Just Be There | 1975 version | |
| 1974 | Dark Star | ||
| 1976 | Ape |
- As an actor
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1958 | The Blob | Man Running Out of Theater | Uncredited |
| 1959 | 4D Man | Man in Nightclub | |
| 1960 | Dinosaurus! | Tourist on Boat | |
| 1970 | Equinox | Detective Harrison | |
| 1972 | Beware! The Blob | Man Running Across Ice | |
| 1973 | Schlock | Man Reading Horror Comic | |
| 1978 | Eyes of Laura Mars | Man in Gallery | |
| 1986 | Prison Ship | Intercom Announcer | Voice role |
- As writer
| Year | Film |
|---|---|
| 1959 | 4D Man |
| 1960 | Dinosaurus! |
| 1966 | The Unkissed Bride |
| 1972 | Beware! The Blob |
- As director
| Year | Film |
|---|---|
| 1966 | The Unkissed Bride |
- Thanks
| Year | Film | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Alien Trespass | Acknowledgment: The Blob footage courtesy of |
Television
edit| Year | Title |
|---|---|
| 1960 | Masterworks of Terror |
- Miscellaneous crew
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1959 | Masterworks of Terror | Producer | US version |
| 1961 | The Twilight Zone | Dinosaur sequence | |
| 1966 | It's About Time | Special film material | |
| 1974 | The Horror Hall of Fame | Provider: Filmclips | Documentary |
Book
editIn 2015 Harris published his first book, FATHER OF THE BLOB: The Making Of A Monster Smash & Other Hollywood Tales (TVGuestpert Publishing).[9]
References
edit- ^ Television & Cable Factbook - Google Books. 1987. ISBN 9780911486292. Retrieved December 31, 2013 – via Google Books.
- ^ a b c d e "'The Blob': How fame took shape from an amorphous sci-fi classic". Jewishjournal.com. June 1, 2015. Retrieved March 14, 2017.
- ^ Weaver, Tom (2000). Return of the B Science Fiction and Horror Heroes: The Mutant Melding of Two ... - Tom Weaver - Google Books. ISBN 9780786407552. Retrieved December 31, 2013 – via Google Books.
- ^ Murdico, Suzanne (15 January 2005). Meet the Blob - Suzanne J. Murdico - Google Books. ISBN 9781404202719. Retrieved December 31, 2013 – via Google Books.
- ^ "Matthew McConaughey, Tupac and Katy Perry Among 2014 Walk of Fame Honorees". The Hollywood Reporter. June 21, 2013. Retrieved December 31, 2013.
- ^ "Jack Harris, Producer of Horror Classic 'The Blob,' Dies at 98". March 14, 2017.
- ^ "'Blob' producer Jack Harris gets Hollywood star". February 28, 2014. Archived from the original on 2014-02-28.
- ^ "Jack Harris, who produced horror film 'The Blob,' dies at 98". Los Angeles Times. March 14, 2017. Retrieved March 14, 2017.
- ^ Harris, Jack H. (2015). Father of the Blob: The Making of a Monster Smash and Other Hollywood Tales, TVGuestpert Publishing. ISBN 9780988585515.